Tag Archives: DJ Butter

DJ Dez and DJ Butter take turns rapping and reminiscing about the past over a table of photographs in their video for “Special Thanks To The Struggle.” Clips of Eminem, Elzhi and a mural dedicated to MC Breed are a few of the things intertwined into the visual story of their journey creating corporate-free Detroit hip-hop.

DJ Dez and DJ Butter are veterans of Detroit hip-hop having worked with everyone from Proof to Danny Brown. Butter has released over 250 mixtapes and Dez was the DJ for Slum Village. Dez is unique for a hip-hop producer/DJ because he also has a credible background in dance music having released several highly regarded singles for Detroit house legend Moodymann’s KDJ label. His discography also includes R&B work with funk/soul/hip-hop generator Amp Fiddler and singer Monica Blaire. Together, Dez and Butter have recently released their 3-years in the making collaboration album, A Piece Of The Action. Kurupt, Kool G Rap, Guilty Simpson and Elzhi are a handful of the guests on the 14-song collection. In the following interview they discuss the origins of their current project, Detroit hip-hop and future plans.

“It’s something for the gangstaz and the hip-hoppers all in one”

When did you two decide to collaborate for A Piece Of The Action?

BUTTER: about three and half years ago. We started on the first song with Loe Louis. Loe was apart of a group called Laswunzout. They were one of the first groups out of Detroit to go to Cali to record with Davina. Soul Assasins and was on wax with a deal and all that. Dez and I sat back and tried to get a direction after that. Loe is a pioneer in Detroit, We knocked it out at Geno XO studio off 7 Mile.

What kinds of ideas did you have about the way you wanted it to sound and who you wanted on it?

BUTTER: We just wanted it to flow. The album has a few skits, and it’s something for the gangstaz and the hip-hoppers all in one. We just wanted some legends from the city on there as well as some of our favorites. People like BO$$ should be celebrated. She’s one of the first gangsta rap females to go platinum on Def Jam. That shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Detroit hip-hop veterans DJ Dez and DJ Butter just released their collaboration album, A Piece Of The Action in September. “Chess Never Checkers” features Kool G Rap and Guilty Simpson having a New York City and Detroit exchange over Dez and Butter’s cinematic beats.